Differences between Disability Services in high school and college.

Have you ever wondered what the differences are between Disability Services in high school and college?

Student responsibilities are different in college

Student must disclose the disability to Disability Services to be considered for services and accommodations.

It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and provide adequate documentation regarding their disability.

Request services EACH semester that they are needed.

Disclose to professors their registration with the Disability Services office EACH semester. In order to use accommodations the student must take a letter from Disability Services to each professor and discuss accommodations.

Student must inform Disability Services staff of any problems with accommodations.

Documentation requirements are different in college

IEPs are not acceptable documentation. IEPs are a contract between the student and the high school.

504 Plans are not acceptable documentation. While high schools and colleges both fall under Section 504, colleges fall under a different subsection.

In college, the actual psychoeducational evaluation is required for learning disabilities and may be requested for ADD/ADHD.

Among other requirements, documentation can be no more than 3 years old for learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, physical or health disabilities, and neurological disabilities.

Among other requirements, documentation can be no more than 6 months old for psychiatric disabilities.